Can they step up??

The St. Louis Blues remain in the middle of the pack in Corey Pronman’s 2025 NHL prospect pipeline rankings, coming in at No. 16, the same spot they held in 2024. Despite a solid group of young forwards—headlined by Dalibor Dvorský and Jimmy Snuggerud—there are questions about whether this talent pool is strong enough to elevate the Blues beyond their current playoff bubble status.

The team earned a C+ grade for its 2025 NHL Draft class, reflecting modest expectations from its most recent selections.

Top Prospects Overview

1. Jimmy Snuggerud (RW)

Drafted: 23rd overall in 2022
Born: June 1, 2004 | 6’2”, 187 lbs
Projection: Second-line winger
Strengths: High-end shot, offensive creativity, strong power-play threat
Weakness: Below-average skating
Outlook: Recently turned pro and contributed immediately in the NHL. Creative with the puck and trusted by coaches, but limited by foot speed.

2. Adam Jiříček (D)

Drafted: 16th overall in 2024
Born: June 28, 2006 | 6’2”, 179 lbs
Projection: Two-way, middle-pair defenseman
Strengths: Strong compete level, good skating, solid puck retrieval
Outlook: Missed time due to injury but remains a steady and reliable defensive presence.

3. Justin Carbonneau (RW)

Drafted: 19th overall in 2025
Born: Nov. 25, 2006 | 6’2”, 191 lbs
Projection: Top-six winger
Strengths: Skating, puck handling, hard-nosed play, strong shot
Weakness: Below-average hockey sense
Outlook: Dangerous in transition, but needs to improve decision-making.

4. Dalibor Dvorský (C)

Drafted: 10th overall in 2023
Born: June 15, 2005 | 6’1”, 205 lbs
Projection: Top-six forward
Strengths: High skill, strong shot, offensive IQ
Weakness: Skating, consistency, perimeter play
Outlook: Showed major growth in the AHL; offensive upside is high, but could move to wing without more complete play.

5. Otto Stenberg (C/W)

Drafted: 25th overall in 2023
Born: May 29, 2005 | 6’0”, 187 lbs
Projection: Middle-six winger
Strengths: Speed, shot, playmaking
Outlook: Improved after moving to North America; potential to become a creative, two-way contributor.

6. Logan Mailloux (D)

Drafted: 31st overall in 2021
Born: April 15, 2003 | 6’3”, 212 lbs
Projection: Middle-pair defenseman
Strengths: Size, skating, offensive potential
Weakness: Decision-making
Outlook: Strong AHL performer with big upside, but limited by hockey sense.

7. Adam Jecho (C/W)

Drafted: 95th overall in 2024
Born: March 24, 2006 | 6’5”, 201 lbs
Projection: Third-line winger
Strengths: Size, hands, shot
Weakness: Hockey sense, effort consistency
Outlook: Intriguing tools, but needs to stay engaged to reach full potential.

8. Theo Lindstein (D)

Drafted: 29th overall in 2023
Born: Jan. 5, 2005 | 6’0”, 192 lbs
Projection: Bottom-pair NHL defenseman
Strengths: Intelligence, skating, defensive reads
Outlook: Reliable, coachable player with limited offensive upside.

9. Lukas Fischer (D)

Drafted: 56th overall in 2024
Born: Sept. 9, 2006 | 6’3”, 185 lbs
Projection: Third-pair defenseman
Strengths: Size, physicality, shot
Outlook: Strong season offensively for a struggling team. Plays a shutdown style with some scoring upside.

10. Arseni Koromyslov (D)

Drafted: 120th overall in 2022
Born: Nov. 3, 2003 | 6’5”, 181 lbs
Projection: Bottom-pair NHL defenseman
Strengths: Size, skating, defensive play
Outlook: Quiet but effective. Could be a depth option with some offense in his game.

Other Notables (Projected NHLers)

Jakub Stancl (LW): Big winger with a solid shot. Concerns about skating may limit upside.
Matvei Korotky (C): Intelligent, hardworking center with bottom-six potential; skating needs work.
Colin Ralph (D): Physical presence with size and mobility.
Juraj Pekarcik (C): Creative, toolsy forward with flashes of scoring skill.
Quinton Burns, Ondrej Kos, Matthew Mayich, William McIsaac: Depth prospects still developing.

Summary

The Blues’ pipeline is solid but unspectacular, with most top prospects projecting as middle-of-the-lineup NHL players rather than future stars. While there’s decent depth—particularly among forwards—there’s no clear elite talent to build a franchise around. With the team hovering around playoff contention, internal development will be crucial for taking the next step.